Analysis of biogeographic patterns in the Holarctic via comparative molecular phylogenetics of dispersal-limited harvestmen (Arachnida: Opiliones)

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Within the scope of the presented project is the comparison of the molecular evolu-tion of a group of animals with poor dispersal abilities with scenarios of the geological history of the northern hemisphere (Holarctic). My objective is to apply novel statistic-al methods to dated molecular phylogenies to explicitly test different hypotheses about causes of diversity and distribution within the largest zoogeographic realm on Earth. Terrestrial harvestmen (Arachnida: Opiliones) are featured as model taxa, which have already proved valuable in biogeographical studies of the southern he-misphere. Molecular phylogenies will be reconstructed using several markers to de-fine natural (monophyletic) groups for systematic-taxonomic purposes, and to outline them as discrete units for biogeographic purposes. Sequencing and systematic-taxonomic preparations will be distributed among several collaborations, for which the biogeographic project represents the central coordinating body. This project pro-motes the establishment of a stable, interdisciplinary and international network for the scientific development of the applicant.